The Yuanjue Caves (圆觉洞)
The Yuanjue Caves (圆觉洞) – Anyue, Sichuan
The Yuanjue caves, located near the town of Anyue in Sichuan, are among the discreet but remarkable treasures of China’s rock art heritage. Less well known than the Dazu or Longmen caves, they are nevertheless a major site for understanding Buddhist art in southern Sichuan.
A major historic site
The Yuanjue caves were carved mainly during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, when Anyue was an important regional centre for the spread of Mahayana Buddhism. The name ‘Yuanjue’ (圆觉) refers to the ‘Sūtra of Perfect Awakening’ (圆觉经), a fundamental text of Chinese Buddhism dealing with ultimate awakening and the nature of enlightenment.
This site is famous for its wide variety of sculptures, including representations of Buddha, bodhisattvas and scenes illustrating Buddhist parables, as well as celestial guardians and arhats (enlightened disciples).
What makes Yuanjue unique
Niches and frescoes carved into the rock
The Yuanjue caves are not vast caverns like Dunhuang, but rather a series of niches carved directly into the hillside in a soft rock typical of Sichuan. These niches house numerous statues of Buddha seated in meditation, often surrounded by disciples or bodhisattvas, in an atmosphere of profound spirituality.
Some scenes illustrate episodes from the Jataka (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives) or symbols of local Buddhist culture, such as the stone lions, stelae engraved with sutras and floral mandalas.
A place for spiritual practice
Historically, Yuanjue was also used as a place of retreat for Buddhist monks and practitioners, who came to meditate in these caves overlooking nature. The tranquillity of the area, still palpable today, is a reminder of this contemplative vocation.
An unspoilt natural setting
The caves are set in lush, gently undulating countryside typical of the Anyue region. Walking along the small paths lined with bamboo and shrubs, visitors can admire the way in which nature and sacred architecture blend harmoniously.
What you need to see on the site
- The main niches feature majestic Buddhas, some several metres high.
- The bas-reliefs telling Buddhist stories are finely sculpted with great attention to detail.
- Ancient inscriptions engraved in traditional Chinese characters, recounting the history of the site or conveying Buddhist teachings.
Yuanjue, a complementary site to Pilu
Unlike the Pilu site, which impresses with the monumentality of its sculptures, Yuanjue captivates with its rich narrative and the delicacy of its niches. The two sites are often visited together to get an overall view of the Anyue rock art tradition.
Practical information
Location: Approximately 15-20 km from Anyue town centre, in a rural area.
Recommended duration: 1h30 to 2h to visit the whole site at a leisurely pace.
Entrance fee: modest, generally between 20 and 40 RMB.
Ideal time of year: spring and autumn, when the climate is mild and the vegetation lush.
Why visit the Yuanjue caves?
- A site off the beaten track, perfect for lovers of Buddhist art who want to avoid the crowds.
- A peaceful atmosphere, ideal for meditation and contemplation.
- A precious testimony to the rock art of Sichuan, less monumental than Leshan but of great finesse.
